Pay for your graduate education

Resources

The cost of getting a master’s or doctoral degree may seem daunting. Here’s the good news: graduate degrees can be more affordable than you might think. With determination and a little knowledge, you may be able to pursue the career of your dreams without acquiring an overwhelming load of debt.

Fellowships and Awards

Fellowships, scholarships, awards and grants are not loans and you will not have to repay them. They can be “merit-based” for outstanding student performance and/or “needs-based” for those otherwise unable to afford an education.

In addition to graduate fellowships and grants at ASU, there are thousands of national, state and private organization resources to search, including awards for teachers, those seeking a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, military and their family members, minorities and women who are underrepresented in their fields, and many more.

Funding resources

Employment

Consider part-time work, particularly in your own field:

Types of Student Employment Programs: Students can work in three types of employment programs offered by the ASU Student Employment Office. The job search will tell you which type of program(s) the employer is participating in.

ASU maintains job postings for hourly, work-study, and stipend positions on- and off-campus. To search for available jobs, sign in with your ASURITE ID at students.asu.edu/employment/search.

A number of agencies and community service organizations work with ASU to provide tuition discounts and reimbursements based on the student’s commitment to provide volunteer or paid work within their fields in return. For example:

ASU recognizes that students may need to supplement their income with on-campus work in order to help pay for their studies. To ensure that a graduate student’s education and training are not compromised by commitments to additional employment, limitations are placed on the number of hours or FTE worked at ASU. For additional information see the following communication www.asu.edu/hr/documents/grademploymentmay2014.pdf.

Career services at ASU offers valuable resources and advice, including guides, advising, events and workshops, job search and more.

Appointments

Teaching and Research Assistant positions are available within your academic unit. They give you valuable professional experience within your field as well as financial support.

Loans

If grants, scholarships, savings, student jobs and family assistance do not cover the costs of attending college, you might consider loans. If so, don’t hesitate to seek counseling from the main ASU Student Financial Aid Office. This office contains valuable tools and advice, such as cost calculators, loan options, money management tips, and frequently asked questions.